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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with an underlying pathology characterized by inflammation-driven neuronal loss, axonal injury, and demyelination. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase and member of the TEC family of kinases, is involved in the regulation, migration, and functional activation of B cells and myeloid cells in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS), cell types which are deemed central to the pathology contributing to disease progression in MS patients. Herein, we describe the discovery of BIIB129 ( 25 ), a structurally distinct and brain-penetrant targeted covalent inhibitor (TCI) of BTK with an unprecedented binding mode responsible for its high kinome selectivity. BIIB129 ( 25 ) demonstrated efficacy in disease-relevant preclinical in vivo models of B cell proliferation in the CNS, exhibits a favorable safety profile suitable for clinical development as an immunomodulating therapy for MS, and has a low projected total human daily dose.

An operationally simple protocol has been discovered that couples primary or secondary amines with N-aryl-substituted lactams to deliver differentiated diamines in moderate to high yields. The process allows for the partial reduction of a lactam in the presence of Cp 2 ZrHCl (Schwartz's reagent), followed by a reductive amination between the resulting hemiaminal and primary or secondary amine. These reactions can be telescoped in a one-pot fashion to significantly simplify the operation. The scope of amines and substituted lactams of various ring sizes was demonstrated through the formation of a range of differentiated diamine products. Furthermore, this methodology was expanded to include N-aryl pyrrolidinone substrates with an enantiopure ester group at the 5-position, and α-amino piperidinones were prepared with complete retention of stereochemical information. The development of this chemistry has enabled the consideration of lactams as useful synthons.

Several reports have recently emerged regarding the identification of heteroarylsulfonamides as Na V 1.7 inhibitors that demonstrate high levels of selectivity over other Na V isoforms. The optimization of a series of internal Na V 1.7 leads that address a number of metabolic liabilities including bioactivation, PXR activation, as well as CYP3A4 induction and inhibition led to the identification of potent and selective inhibitors that demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and were devoid of the aforementioned liabilities. The key to achieving this within a series prone to transporter-mediated clearance was the identification of a small range of optimal cLogD values and the discovery of subtle PXR SAR that was not lipophilicity dependent. This enabled the identification of compound 20, which was advanced into a target engagement pharmacodynamic model where it exhibited robust reversal of histamine-induced scratching bouts in mice.

Because of its strong genetic validation, Na V 1.7 has attracted significant interest as a target for the treatment of pain. We have previously reported on a number of structurally distinct bicyclic heteroarylsulfonamides as Na V 1.7 inhibitors that demonstrate high levels of selectivity over other Na V isoforms. Herein, we report the discovery and optimization of a series of atropisomeric quinolinone sulfonamide inhibitors [ Bicyclic sulfonamide compounds as sodium channel inhibitors and their preparation . WO 2014201206, 2014 ] of Na V 1.7, which demonstrate nanomolar inhibition of Na V 1.7 and exhibit high levels of selectivity over other sodium channel isoforms. After optimization of metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties, including PXR activation, CYP2C9 inhibition, and CYP3A4 TDI, several compounds were advanced into in vivo target engagement and efficacy models. When tested in mice, compound 39 (AM-0466) demonstrated robust pharmacodynamic activity in a Na V 1.7-dependent model of histamine-induced pruritus (itch) and additionally in a capsaicin-induced nociception model of pain without any confounding effect in open-field activity.

Human genetic evidence has identified the voltage-gated sodium channel Na V 1.7 as an attractive target for the treatment of pain. We initially identified naphthalene sulfonamide 3 as a potent and selective inhibitor of Na V 1.7. Optimization to reduce biliary clearance by balancing hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity (Log D ) while maintaining Na V 1.7 potency led to the identification of quinazoline 16 (AM-2099). Compound 16 demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rat and dog and demonstrated dose-dependent reduction of histamine-induced scratching bouts in a mouse behavioral model following oral dosing.

The optimization of a series of aminooxazoline xanthene inhibitors of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is described. An early lead compound showed robust Aβ lowering activity in a rat pharmacodynamic model, but advancement was precluded by a low therapeutic window to QTc prolongation in cardiovascular models consistent with in vitro activity on the hERG ion channel. While the introduction of polar groups was effective in reducing hERG binding affinity, this came at the expense of higher than desired Pgp-mediated efflux. A balance of low Pgp efflux and hERG activity was achieved by lowering the polar surface area of the P3 substituent while retaining polarity in the P2' side chain. The introduction of a fluorine in position 4 of the xanthene ring improved BACE1 potency (5-10-fold). The combination of these optimized fragments resulted in identification of compound 40, which showed robust Aβ reduction in a rat pharmacodynamic model (78% Aβ reduction in CSF at 10 mg/kg po) and also showed acceptable cardiovascular safety in vivo.

We have previously shown that the aminooxazoline xanthene scaffold can generate potent and orally efficacious BACE1 inhibitors although certain of these compounds exhibited potential hERG liabilities. In this article, we describe 4-aza substitution on the xanthene core as a means to increase BACE1 potency while reducing hERG binding affinity. Further optimization of the P3 and P2' side chains resulted in the identification of 42 (AMG-8718), a compound with a balanced profile of BACE1 potency, hERG binding affinity, and Pgp recognition. This compound produced robust and sustained reductions of CSF and brain Aβ levels in a rat pharmacodynamic model and exhibited significantly reduced potential for QTc elongation in a cardiovascular safety model.

A series of alpha-amidosulfones were found to be potent and selective agonists of CB(2). The discovery, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of this series of agonists are reported. In addition, the pharmacokinetic properties of the most promising compounds are profiled.